Published 16 Jul, 2021 11:36am

Still don't think you need a seatbelt? Shaniera Akram has something to say about that

It may have just dawned on Shaniera Akram that people in Pakistan have a bit of a problem following road safety rules, or perhaps it was a long time coming. Either way, Akram recently took to social media to share her thoughts on the importance of wearing a seatbelt to those who refuse to understand.

The activist posted a series of Instagram stories to highlight the difference that wearing a seatbelt can make between life and death. This has come after Akram previously schooled actors Minal Khan and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram over the importance of road safety rules after they shared a video of themselves driving in the rain, with Khan not wearing a seatbelt and Ikram filming her while driving.

Akram's latest message was directed to those who don't wear seatbelts despite receiving reminders on the matter. "I'm going to say this for those few people who still think they don't need a seatbelt on because they are just driving a short distance and/or they are only driving slowly," she wrote.

"It doesn't matter what distance you are traveling or how fast you are going," Akram emphasised. "All it takes is one car to hit your car and your life or your loved ones life could be over."

The activist reminded everyone that this is a choice one has to live with forever.

Although she might sound harsh, Akram said she realises she needs to be so in order to "get through" to people.

She wrote, "If by posting this message, I've changed just one person's mind, and convinced them to now wear a seat belt, then in my mind it was worth it as I may have just saved your life!"

The activist also posted the message on Twitter, asking her followers to make wiser choices.

Author Bina Shah replied to Akram's tweet, saying "nobody thinks like this" in Pakistan. "Sorry to be cynical but I have never seen a country more irresponsible and careless than this one," she wrote.

Shah shared a few of the comments she's heard from people who don't wear seatbelts about their choice.

We hope that Akram manages to get through to her followers. Lots of people lose their lives to road accidents every day in Pakistan and many could have been saved if they practiced proper road safety, like wearing a seatbelt.

Read Comments